The friends of bourne
Dear Parents & Carers
I hope you and your families are all keeping well and safe. We have been very impressed at how well the students have settled back into our school routine. Thank you for all your support on my requests regarding travel to and from school, dropping off and collecting your children, parking, bikes, scooters and masks.
Here are some updates for this week:-
Masks
Students have been wonderfully sensible wearing their masks and we are grateful to those parents who have worked with us if they have concerns about masks.
Mask are never worn for long periods but it is important to reinforce that they must cover nose and mouth when worn, or their effect is greatly diminished.
Please can I ask that parents ensure that their children have masks with them unless they have a medical reason that we have agreed with you. Whilst we have a small stock for emergencies we cannot guarantee availability. From Monday we will charge 50p for a mask and the proceeds will be used to replenish our stocks.
Covid-19 and Testing
You will be aware that the issue of testing has dominated the news again this week and I would like to reinforce the following points:-
We always have students with new coughs and colds at the start of term as they return to school. Overwhelmingly, these will be no cause for concern in the end so please do try not to worry unduly. Your child may develop symptoms such as a runny nose and/or sore throat. Please be aware that these are NOT identified by PHE as COVID-19 symptoms, and that the three main symptoms of COVID-19 in children have been identified as being the same as those in adults, namely:
- a new, continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of sense of taste or smell
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are the things we all must do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19 and we are reinforcing this with the students too:-
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Further Information
Further information is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Rule of Six
This rule does not apply to students in school of course, but it does once they have left the site. We are urging students to disperse from school quickly and be sensible and considerate in local shops, supermarkets and on public transport. These rules ask that others make sacrifices so that school can remain open. We know that the vast majority of our students automatically behave respectfully in public but I ask that you take time to reinforce this with your own children too. Thank you.
Attendance
Please contact Mrs Vincent if your child is absent from school.
Telephone – 01243 375691 extn 220
Email – svincent@bourne.org.uk
One final reminder that Monday 12 October is an INSET day and the school will be closed for all students.
Thanking you all for your continued support for the school and the whole community and wishing you a restful weekend.
Best wishes
Yvonne Watkins
Headteacher
